Carter County board hears updates on missed days, construction and school letter grades
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Summary
Dr. Brandon Hart updated the Carter County Board of Education on missed instructional days and virtual-learning participation, LED lighting and construction progress at multiple schools, and the newly released school letter grades; the district said it will use in-service days and staff support to manage upcoming moves.
Dr. Brandon Hart told the Carter County Board of Education that the district has "missed 7 days" of in-person instruction this school year because some roads were "too dangerous to have a bus on," and described the district's approach to virtual learning and make-up work.
Hart said the district counted two virtual-learning days toward the total "so that gives us down to 5" and reported that the district has "8 stockpile days for the year." He described virtual-day participation as "about 70 to 75%" on the day of a closure and said "when they get back in school, we have 95% that complete that work," explaining the district allows five days for students to turn in make-up assignments.
Hart also updated the board on facilities and construction work. Maintenance staff reported using "about 450 LED bulbs this week" while replacing fixtures under a mix of grant funding and local purchase. Staff said a contractor/donor arrangement through TBA and Elizabeth Electric will pay for four-foot fixture bulbs at Unica High School, with deliveries expected Jan. 20. The board was told this reduces future energy and maintenance costs.
On capital projects, staff presented a completion list from Burleson for Hampton High School (dated Dec. 15) and said progress had accelerated in the previous week though some items remained unfinished. Hart said teachers will not need to move furniture because new furnishings are being provided; district crews, volunteers and a National Guard contact have been recruited to help move large equipment. The district plans to use the in-service day on the fifth as a moving day, use the sixth for classroom setup, and reopen the high school to students on the seventh.
Staff also reported Hunter Elementary is near final completion after a fire marshal inspection and that new furniture for a new wing is due mid-January.
The board reviewed newly released school letter grades. Hart said the district is "advancing" at the district level and described efforts to break down how grade points are calculated so principals and supervisors can target specific improvements. He noted individual schools that were close to higher letter grades and said the recent realignment of sixth grade to Happy Valley Middle should change next year’s grade cards.
The board did not take a formal decision on these operational items but will incorporate the updates into next steps for scheduling, communications and completion of outstanding work.